Tile laying machine



May 20, 1958 N; E. FREY 'TILE LAYING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 24, 1953 IN V EN TOR.

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Norman E. Frey INVENTOR.

W Mk4 May 20, 1958 N. E. FREY TILE LAYING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 24. 1953 Norman E. Frey INVENTOR (yaw 3m Unit runs LAYING MACHINE- Application September 24, 1953, Serial No. 382,064

6 Claims. (Cl. 94-47) This invention relates to a tile laying machine which has for its principal object the provision of means for accurately and easily applying flooring tile to a suitably prepared surface so as to economically construct the tile flooring with a considerable savingsof the time and effort heretofore expended as necessary to manually perform the necessary operation.

This tile laying machine is especially adapted for use in laying tile on the prefabricated flooring of a trailer or like vehicle. The construction of this invention features means for applying various rows of tile to a suitable surface previously coated with an adhesive. The machine further provides means for applying pressure onto the tiles as may be necessary.

A special feature of construction of this machine resides in the fact that the compartments within which the tiles are stacked are of lesser dimensions in width than that of the tiles whereby the tiles will be supported in a flexed position so that upon release of the tiles from the compartments in which they have been stacked, the tiles will untiex to regain their complete width and thereby enter abutting relationship with the other tiles of a row of tiles.

Another novel feature or" construction of this invention resides in the means utilized for applying pressure upon the tiles previously dispensed from the machine whereby a substantial portion of the entire weight of the machine is utilized to properly set the tiles in the mastic or adhesive utilized to bond the tiles to the flooring surface.

Incorporated in the concept of the present invention are structures which enable selected spaces to be left blank as may be suitable in the trailer floor where there is to be located piping or where openings or for such other reasons as may be necessary. This means includes suitable cam elements which engage hinged plates to lift the stack of tiles out of engagement with the slide which is utilized to urge the tiles outwardly from their compartments.

An unusual aspect of the operation of this machine resides in the fact that the entire machine which will be pushed forwardly by the action of the slides urging the discharged row of tiles outwardly from the machine. In conjunction with the drive shaft which operates the mechanism for controlling the movement of the slide there is provided a brake for engaging the rails on which this device is mounted. It is to be understood that in lieu of the rails and carriage as disclosed various other embodiments of the invention may be devised which employ the basic principles thereof.

Still further objects and features of the invention reside in the provision of a tile laying machine that is strong and durable, comparatively simple in construction and manufacture, capable of saving a great amount of time and effort in the preparation of floorings, which is substantially foolproof in operation and which enables a better bond between the tiles and the flooring surface States Patent to be achieved than was heretofore possible by hand manipulation.

These, together with the various ancillary objects and features of the invention which will become apparent as the following description proceeds, are attained by this tile laying machine, a preferred embodiment of which has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of the tile laying machine comprising the present invention;

Figure 2 is an elevational view of the tile laying machine which particularly indicates the manner in which the carriage is supported on the triangular shaped tracks;

Figure 3 is a partial perspective view of the apparatus comprising the present invention and illustrating in particular the manner of operation of the device, the machine being shown in an intermediate stage of operation;

Figure 4 is a sectional detail view as taken along the plane of line 4-4 of Figure 3 and showing on an enlarged scale the construction of the means for selectively preventing the slide in a particular compartment from operating so as to prevent a particular tile from being applied onto the flooring;

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of the machine as taken from the left side of the device;

Figure 6 is a vertical, sectional detail view as taken along theplane of line 66 in Figure 5 and illustrating the construction of the brake incorporated in the invention;

Figure '7 is a side elevational view as taken along the right side of the tiling machine;

Figure 8 is a s'ectionaldetail view as taken along the plane of line 88 in Figure 1 and illustrating the means utilized for actuating the drive shaft of the invention;

Figure 9 is a sectional detail View as taken along the plane of line 9-9 of Figure 1 and showing in enlarged scale the manner in which the slide engages and dispenses a tile;

Figure 10 is a sectional detail view as taken along the plane of line Jill-10 in Figure 9 and illustrating in particular the arcuate shape of the bottom of each of the compartments; and

Figure 11 is a partial perspectiveview of the portion of the slide adapted to engage a tile.

With continuing reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the various views, reference numeral 10 generally designates a supporting table or the like of any convenient structure to which the side rails 12 and 14 are secured by any convenient means. A trailer floor Ill is positioned on the supporting table it] for the purpose of having a surfacing of tile placed thereon. It is to be noted that the rails 14 may be provided with a triangular or inverted V-shaped supporting surface for their guiding effect on the side wheels 16 and 13 of the carriage 2h. The carriage 20 includes a plurality of vertically extending partitions 22 and a rear wall 24- arranged so as to form a plurality of individual compartments which are generally indicated by reference numeral 26. The carriage 20 further includes a bottom tray 28 which together with the arcuately downwardly arched bottom Gil is canted at an angle downwardly and rearwardly. Hingedly attached to the carriage 2t) adjacent the rear wall 24 is a plurality of guides 32 adapted to permit a tile to pass between the tray 28 and the guides 32. The tray 28 terminates in a plurality of fingers 34 which are provided to properly deliver the tile to the heretofore prepared surface of the lower base 36 which has been covered with a suitable mastic or adhesive. The fingers 34 prevent any unnecessary or undue deleterious effect upon the coating of mastic.

The carriage 20 further includes side runners 37 and 38 to which the rear wheels 4t and 42 are attached. Mounted on the carriage 26 is a pair of bearing blocks 44 and 46 Within which .a drive shaft 48 is journalled. The drive shaft 455 is rotated in an oscillating manner by means of a crank arm 56 which is connected to the piston rod 52 connected to a piston within the cylinder 54 the operation of which is controlled by any suitable means such as hydraulic or pneumatic pressure as may be desired.

Secured on the shaft 48 are crank arms 56 which by means of links 58 are connected to slides 69 which are adapted to move reciprocatingly on the bottoms 30 of each of the compartments 26 and which are also adapted to move forwardly of the front end walls 62 of the carriage Zll, the walls 62 being shown in the embodiment of Figure 3 to be of reduced height for greater clarity. The slides 69 move and are guided in a suitable trackway 64 and slides 6d areprcvided with projecting heads 61': which are adapted to engage the lowermost of the tile stacked Within the compartments 26 to thereby urge the lowermost of the tiles rearwardly between the guides 32. and the tray 28 and outwardly to be dispensed by the fingers 34 onto the surface 36. Hence, upon rotation of the shaft 43 the slides 60 will be actuated to cause the tiles to be dispensed from the machine. it is to be especially noted that the walls or partitions 22 of the compartments 26 are so spaced that the width thereof is less than the width of the tiles stacked therein whereby the tiles will be forced to assume the concave upward shape as can be readily seen in Figure 3. lence, once the tiles have been expelled from the machine, the tiles will un flex to thereby compensate for the space taken by the width of the partitions 22 and provide abutting seams for a better floor surface. The stacks of tiles are held in a secure relationship by means of weights 68 welded or otherwise attached to arcuate plates Ill which are adapted to further maintain the stacks of tiles in their flexed condition.

There is separately journalled on the carriage 2 by means of suitable bearing blocks 72 a transverse rod 74 on which any selected number of cam elements '76 can be attached. The cam elements 76 are adapted to engage a contact member 78 extending upwardly from a plate till which is pivotally mounted as at 232 to the front wall 62 of the carriage 20. Hence, upon rotation of the rod 74 using the handle lid provided therefor, the plate 30 will be pivoted so as to lift the stack of tiles out of engagement with the slide fill. lit is to be noted that cams can be of such shape and so positioned that a quarter turn or 7 less in either direction will serve to prevent the slide 6d engaging the tiles within selected compartments 2-6 to thereby assure that a blank insofar as the tiles are concerned will occur at a particular position. Hence, in locations where there are necessitated wheel openings, piping openings, or the like, no tile will be placed on the flooring since such can be accomplished at a later period in the construction of the trailer.

A transverse shaft 86 is provided and is suitably journalled in eccentric bearings 8% whereby upon rotation of the handle 99 the shaft as will be vertically displaced. Mounted on the shaft 86 is a plurality of rollers 552 of substantial wei ht which are adapted to engage and press downwardly upon thedispensed tiles of the previous row of tiles. After the floor has been tiled shaft 86 is rotated to lift the rear of the machine so fingers 34 are raised above tile and the machine can be pushed back over tile to reroil it and return machine to starting position. The rollers 92 may be formed of metal or of suitably resilient material as may be desired. A spring assembly -t is provided for applying some of the weight of the machine to rear wheel 42.

Attached to the drive shaft 48 is a brake actuating arm '26 carrying a contact member 98. This contact member 93 is adapted to engage another contact member 100 mounted on a rod 102 extending through spaced plates 104 and 106. The rod W2. carries a collar 108 and a spring 110 biases the plates ltld and lt tl. Mounted at the lower extremity of the rod MP2 is a brake shoe 112 which is adapted to engage the track 12. This brake assembly provides means for stopping the forward motion of the machine caused by the fact that the slide 60 will press the rearward end of the lower tiles being dispensed against the forward edge of the previous row of tiles which will best cause the machine to be moved forwardly. The braking action of the brake assembly is of course timed by the position of the brake actuating arm 96 on the drive shaft 48.

Since from the foregoing the construction and advantages of this tile laying machine are readily apparent, further description is believed to be unnecessary.

However, since numerous modifications will readily occur to those skilled in the art, after a consideration of the foregoing specification and accompanying drawings, it is not intended to limit the invention to the precise embodiment shown and described, but all suitable modifications and equivalents may be readily resorted to.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

A tile laying machine comprising a carriage having a plurality ofcompartments for receiving tile, a drive shaft journalled on said carriage, means for actuating said drive shaft connected thereto, each of said compart ments having an opening through the rear thereof through which the lowest of the tiles adapted to be positioned in that compartment can pass, a tray extending beneath and rearwardly beyond said compartments, slides in said compartments adapted to engage the lowe most of said tiles for urging the lowermost of said tiles outwardly from said compartments and onto said tray, a linkage connected to said drive shaft and to said slides for actuating said slides, a plurality of rollers mounted on a transverse shaft rearwardly of said tray, said transverse shaft being eccentrically journalled on said carriage, and means for rotating said transverse shaft to raise said machine so as to enable said rollers to apply pressure downwardly in a manner adapted to be directed upon previously dispensed tiles.

2. A tile laying machine comprising a carriage having a plurality of compartments for receiving tile, a drive shaft journalled on said carriage, means for actuating said drive shaft connected thereto, each of said compartments having an opening therethrough at the rear thereof through which the lowest of the tiles in that compartment can pass, a tray extending rearwardly beneath and beyond said compartments, slides in said compartments adapted to engage the lowermost of said tiles for urging the lowermost of said tiles outwardly from said compartment and onto said tray, and a linkage connected to said drive shaft and to said slides for actuating said slides, said compartments being of lesser width than the width of the tile adapted to be received therein, said compartments each having an arcuate shaped bottom having an upper substantially concave surface, a transverse rod rotatably mounted on said carriage, cam elements secured on said rod, plates pivotally secured in said compartments adapted to be positioned below the lowermost of said tiles,

said cam elements engaging said plates whereby upon ro-' tation of said rod said cam elements will engage said plates to cause said plates to lift the tiles out of engagement with some of said slides.

3.,A tile laying machine comprising a carriage having a plurality of compartments for receiving tile, a drive shaft journalled on said carriage, means for actuating said drive shaft connected thereto, each of said com- 'partments having an opening through the rear thereof through which the lowest of the tiles in that compartment can pass, a tray extending beneath and rearwardly beyond said compartments, slides in said compartments adapted to engage the lowermost of said tiles for urging the lowermost of said tiles outwardly from said compart ments and onto said tray, and a linkage connected to said drive shaft and to said slides for actuating said slides, said carriage being mounted e n spaced tracks, brake elements carried by said carriage adapted to engage said tracks, and means attached to said drive shaft for actuating said brake elements.

4. A tile laying machine comprising a carriage having a plurality of compartments for receiving tile, a drive shaft journalled on said carriage, means for actuating said drive shaft connected thereto, each of said compartments having an opening through the rear thereof through which the lowest of the tiles in that compartment can pass, a. tray extending beneath and rearwardly beyond said compartments, slides in said compartments adapted to engage the lowermost of said tiles for urging the lowermost of said tiles outwardly from said compartments and onto said tray, and a linkage connected to said drive shaft and to said slides for actuating said slides, said carriage being mounted on spaced tracks, brake elements carried by said carriage adapted to engage said tracks, and means attached to said drive shaft for actuating said brake elements, said compartments being of lesser width than the width of the tile adapted to be received therein.

5. A tile laying machine comprising a carriage having a plurality of compartments for receiving tile, a drive shaft journalled on said carriage, means for actuating said drive shaft connected thereto, each of said compartments having an opening through the rear thereof through which the lowest of the tiles in that compartment can pass, a tray extending beneath and rearwardly beyond said compartments, slides in said compartments adapted to engage the lowermost of said tiles for urging the lowermost of said tiles outwardly from said compartments and onto said tray, and a linkage connected to said drive shaft and to said slides for actuating said slides, said carriage being mounted on spaced tracks, brake elements carried by said carriage adapted to engage said tracks, and means attached to said drive shaft for actuating said brake elements, said compartments being of 6 lesser width than the width of the tile adapted to be received therein, said compartments each having an arcua'te shaped bottom having an upper substantially concave surface.

6. A tile laying machine comprising a carriage having a plurality of compartments for receiving tile, a. drive shaft journalled on said carriage, means for actuating said drive shaft connected thereto, each of said compartrnentshaving an opening therethrough through which the lowest of the tiles in that compartment can pass, a tray extending beneath and beyond said compartments, slides in said compartments adapted to engage the lowermost of said tiles for urging the lowermost of said tiles outwardly from said compartments and onto said tray, and a linkage connected to said drive shaft and to said slides for actuating said slides, said carriage being mounted on spaced tracks, brake elements carried by said carriage adapted to engage said tracks, and means attached to said drive shaft for actuating said brake elements, said compartments being of lesser width than the width of the tile adapted to be received therein, said compartments each having an arcuate shaped bottom having an upper substantially concave surface, a transverse rod rotatably mounted on said carriage, cam elements secured on said rod, plates pivotally secured in said compartments adapted to be positioned below the lowermost of said tiles, said cam elements engaging said plates whereby upon rotation of said rod said cam elements will engage said plates to cause said plates to lift the tiles out of engagement with some of said slides.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,806,391 Fitchett May 19, 1931 2,131,967 Peropat Oct. 4, 1938 2,270,871 Felber Jan. 27, 1942 2,289,010 Greenwood July 7, 1942 2,318,215 Gans -2 May 4, 1943 

